Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #22762 in Books
• Published on: 2003
• Binding: Paperback
• 538 pages

Synopsis
Mohamed Fayed has become Britain's most controversial tycoon. Flamboyant and condemned by DTI inspectors as a 'liar' and 'guilty of deception on a grand scale', Fayed, who has always bitterly attacked these findings has defied his critics and, unrestrained, has wilfully imposed himself on British public life. Taking the fiery Egyptian as his latest subject, Tom Bower has produced an outstanding biography of compulsive readability whose authority is enhanced by conversations with Fayed and over 200 of his friends and enemies. The tormented and bizarre journey of the poor boy from Egypt who became the self-proclaimed king of Knightsbridge is a saga reminiscent of an epic Hollywood thriller ...'A brilliant insight into the career of a driven man ...a fascinating study in ambition' - "Express". 'An unforgettable demolition job' - "Guardian". 'There is enough sex and intrigue here for a sequel to the Arabian Nights' - "Sunday Times". 'Tom Bower has triumphantly told the truth about an awful man' - "Spectator".

From the Publisher
A BESTSELLING AND CONTROVERSIAL BIOGRAPHY
Macmillan is proud to announce a major new work by one of Britain's leading investigative writers.

Tom Bower turns the full beam of his formidable powers on one of the most controversial figures of the 1990s: Mohamed Al Fayed, owner of Harrods, bereaved father of Dodi and instigator of the 'cash for questions' sensation which condemned the last Tory government to ridicule.

'The author of Fayed is the Inspector Morse of investigative biographers, a fluent, phlegmatic story-teller and a master of intricacies.' Sunday Times

'Given the extreme difficulty of researching a subject like Fayed, Bower deserves full marks for effort and courage ... his Fayed is a "fuggin" good read.' Lynn Barber, Daily Telegraph

'Tom Bower has beaten Fayed's ghost-writer to it with a book that displays all the forensic skills he employed in exposing Rowland and Robert Maxwell' Sunday Times

Customer Reviews

Comprehensive Bio of Fayed and his Business
This was a really comprehensive biography of the life of Fayed. The book takes you through his lowly Egyptian origin-- his poor family, and first job selling Coca-Cola on the street--through his first successes, and his first marriage. Then the book shows the reader how he completely “remade” his public image, his family, and ancestors!

Most of the book is slower reading because it details all of his business dealings extensively. But that is really what Fayed’s life is all about—BUSINESS. I did not enjoy this book as much as Bower’s other books, such as the one he did on Princess Diana, but that is because of the type of life Fayed led, not because Bower’s writing is not as good. I just want readers to know that this book is NOT read easily, or quickly. But it will answer ALL questions about Fayed, who he is, his life, his brothers, his business associates—friends and enemies--his business dealings, personal dealings, AND what caused all the hoopla about the British Secret Service assassinating Dodi and Diana. Part of it was the “Arab psyche,” and part of it was Fayed’s effort to take any focus off the driver’s inebriated condition.

This book answered ALL of my questions about Fayed, and I am glad I purchased the book. If you are interested in Fayed, by all means, buy this book.

Confirmation of Suspicions
The rise to fame, wealth and power of Mohammed Al Fayed has been intriguing to many people

In his unauthorised biograpy Tom Bowyer suceeds in unpeeling some of the wrapping surrounding Mohammed Al Fayed and his origins.

Utilisng information from disgruntled former employees, friends of Tiny Rowland and his own knowledge of Fayed before the relationship with him went sour,Bowyer has created a book that you can pick up and put down but you know that you have to finish.

For anyone with a love of business and curiosity of how maverick individuals get to the top and what they do when they get there this book is a "must read"

A "fugging" great read
Read in three days, the book covers Mo's life from selling coke in Egypt to beer in Harrods. In between, you read in mute astonishment as the reality of Fayed's life is peeled away, layer by layer. An undeniably colourful character, you close the book feeling slightly sickened about the corrupting effect of both money and "power".